Often overshadowed by San Francisco, its twinkling sister
city across the Bay, Oakland is itself an American wonder. The city is
surrounded by and filled with natural beauty—mountains and hills and lakes and
a bay—and architecture that mirrors its history as a Spanish mission, Gold Rush
outpost, and home of the West’s most devious robber barons. It’s also a city of
artists and blue-collar workers, the birthplace of the Black Panthers, neighbor
to Berkeley, and home to a vibrant and volatile stew of immigrants and
refugees.

In Blues City,
Ishmael Reed, one of our most brilliant essayists, takes us on a tour of
Oakland, exploring its fascinating history, its beautiful hills and
waterfronts, and its odd cultural juxtapositions. He takes us into a year in
the life of this amazing city, to black cowboy parades and Indian powwows, to
Black Panther reunions and Gay Pride concerts, to a Japanese jazz club where a
Lakota musician plays Coltrane’s “Naima.” Reed provides a fascinating tour of
an un-tamed, unruly western outpost set against the backdrop of political
intrigues, ethnic rivalries, and a gentrification-obsessed mayor, opening our
eyes not only to a singular city, but to a newly emerging America.

Download and start listening now!

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Listener Opinions

by Chris | 10/10/2013

" Decent introduction to political and cultural elements of the city. Good gift for a new resident. "

by Anna | 4/24/2013

" A very extreme non-fiction view from a well respected author. "

by Obisbooks | 5/3/2010

" Reed's look at Oakland, a lot of history, a little bit of travel, very informative and it made Oakland interesting. "

by Sam | 9/1/2009

" This is an insightful book about Oakland, but it has an ax to grind that isn't always on point. Well worth it for me as someone has returned to the Bay Area after a long time in the middle of the US--a good review/getting to know the social/political fabric of the area. "

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